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September 29, 2008

Ceedy Kooker

Every morning I play a new song for Ivy. I love sharing my love of music with her and knew I must get a head start before her Daddy poisons her with his taste (I know I must be the only person that does not like Journey). But seriously, one day we were listening to Pink Floyd and he said how can you listen to this? It's painful. And I almost cried and then told him to never say that aloud in public.

But now I go and out him here. Ah well. We can laugh about it now. But I still sometimes cry about it inside.

Today's song was a tribute to what is in my blood, and now Ivy's. She's a true mountain girl.

My grandparents are from the hills of West Virginia. Just this past weekend my grandfather, whom I lovingly call my Poppal, came to see the baby for the first time. He has army "taptoos" (according to Carter) on his arms and a saying for absolutely every situation that only makes sense to him.

That'll make a tadpole slap a whale... I think this means something is really good. He's always saying he's busy stacking bbs or he's gonna take his marbles and go home.

Growing up we'd visit family in West Virginia and there was always a new cousin to meet that I'd never known about, and sometimes maybe even a new aunt popping up that no one had known about and it smelled there. Always felt old and like we were going back in time. Back then I just didn't understand that to my family, that was home.

Poppal's always called me his Ceedy Kooker. I don't know what that is, but it makes me feel special.

Great song, even better video, and a beautiful thing you're passing on to your daughter.

As for WV, I went to college near there, and always drove thru the state on my way home on breaks. I am always amazed at how gorgeous of a state it is. I've never wanted to live there, but I always enjoying the drive through it.

Oh. Now you have done it. Teary eyes. I am from WV myself, and that song is played at every wedding, every party, everything in my family. Not many of us are still there (one Aunt, various cousins), but we all love WV. Thanks Steph.

don't worry... we're kindred. I really, really don't like Journey... or Ben Folds... or most of the junk my sound engineer hubby has on his iPod. So- it's total torture for him when I get to choose the music!

My dad used to have crazy nicknames for me... well he still calls me them. He calls me his "chu-pus-yawn-yum" (sounds gross I know) which means something in fin. He called me all kinds of crazy stuff growing up... but I understand the whole part about making you feel special.

I am from (and currently live in) the hills of WV. John Denver is in my collection, of course. I have lived outside this beautiful state, and never did it feel like home. I love that you are introducing your lovely Ivy to such a vast array of music. I have tried to do the same with my little one.

I loved this post! I know how much I depend on music to help me define and understand my emotional connections to people and places in my life. Your Poppal sounds like a wonderful person :-)

I have to confess that while I would *never, EVER* describe myself as a Journey fan, I have been known to belt out "Don't stop Believing" along with the radio while driving on more than one occasion. I suspect that anyone who says they have never done the same is LYING!

We are both mountain mama's. My family roots are from the mountains of WV. I still have several family members who still live there. I get teased often about it (you know the hillbilly thing) but that's okay..I am very proud of where I come from. What part of WV is your family from?

My hubby is from (Lewisberg) and he says he can always tell when we cross over from VA to WV...there's just something about it that's different - older, wilder, untainted. He always plays that song when we cross the border, too. Your poppal sounds very fun!

Mr. AIB here:I know I'm going to regret this, but you have to admit this is good stuff. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFjKFDvyJ80 for a little guilty pleasure trip down memory lane. To borrow a concept from Hugh Grant in the movie Music and Lyrics, John Denver may be dinner, but this is totally dessert. Mmmmmm...Journey.

I love that song! I was just at the Shenandoah this weekend (the VA side). How fun that your Poppal came for a visit. My Nana is a good southern girl and has all kinds of sayings! Two of my faves are when she would tell me I was "movin slower than molassas in January" or that she parked "crookeder than a dog's hind leg takin a pee"! Haha they're great!

I've enjoyed your blog for a while now, especially the new baby news as we have our own new little one (Luke, 9/5/08, the third of three boys). But I just had to write when you mentioned your grandparents being from WV--so are mine (Upshur County). They are so dear to my heart, as are those gorgeous mountains, and I hope to pass that love on to my boys.